Delaney continues to outpace Bartlett in fundraising

John Fritze, The Baltimore Sun

Incumbent Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett -- in the fight of his political career to keep his seat in Maryland's 6th Congressional District -- raised less money over the past three months than he did in the previous quarter, campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission on Monday show.

Bartlett, a Republican seeking an 11th term, raised just over $218,000 and had nearly $221,000 on hand at the end of September. That was less than he raised in the second quarter -- his best ever -- when he pulled in nearly $375,000.

Bartlett's numbers were once again eclipsed by Democratic challenger John Delaney, who raised just more than $399,000 and gave himself an additional $118,600 in the form of a loan. Without the loan, Delaney would have brought in less from donors in the most recent quarter as well.

Delaney had a small cash-on-hand advantage, with $249,000 in the bank. But Delaney has shown a willingness to use his own money to boost his campaign's bottom line, so the comparison is less significant as it is in other races. In all, the Potomac businessman has loaned or contributed $1.9 million to himself.

Bartlett is running in a district that was significantly altered by Democrats in Annapolis as part of the once-in-a-decade redistricting process. Democrats in Washington believe the district offers their party one of the best opportunities in the country to pick off an incumbent Republican.

The reports are the second-to-last time federal campaigns must disclose their financing before the Nov. 6 election. The next and final report is due Oct. 25.

Gov. Martin O'Malley's new political action committee raised $46,000 since its creation July 23. Notable contributors include Discovery Communications CEO David Zaslav, who gave $5,000. Terry Lierman, former Maryland Democratic Party chair and former chief of staff to Rep. Steny Hoyer, gave $2,500.

O'Malley aides have said the committee, the O' Say Can You See PAC, is focused on the state ballot initiatives this year as well as re-electing President Barack Obama. But the creation of the federal committee also ratcheted up speculation about O'Malley's national political ambitions.